Is Lafayette or Ruston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Ruston is safer than Lafayette (Safety Score 14/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,387 per 100,000 versus 5,414 for Lafayette — 37% lower. Lafayette has higher rates in 0 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in violent crime, where Ruston has a 60% lower rate.
Note: Lafayette is 5.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Lafayette — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Ruston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Lafayette, LA
Ruston, LA
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Lafayette | Ruston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 5,413.6 | 3,387.4 | +2,026.3 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 1,066.1 | 431.3 | +634.8 |
| Murder Rate | 14.8 | 13.5 | +1.3 |
| Rape Rate | 33.8 | 22.5 | +11.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 69.2 | 40.4 | +28.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 948.4 | 350.4 | +598.0 |
| Property Crime Rate | 4,347.5 | 2,956.1 | +1,391.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 661.1 | 359.4 | +301.7 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 3,227.9 | 2,412.5 | +815.4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 458.6 | 184.2 | +274.4 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lafayette or Ruston safer?
Ruston is safer with a total crime rate of 3,387 per 100K vs 5,414 for Lafayette — a 37% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Lafayette has a violent crime rate of 1,066.1 per 100K while Ruston has 431.3. Ruston has lower violent crime.
About Lafayette, LA
Lafayette, at the heart of Acadiana, is a vibrant hub of Cajun and Creole culture, known for its lively music and food scene. Situated along the Vermilion River, it's the most populous city in the Lafayette metropolitan area. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 121,471, Lafayette has a total crime rate of 5,413.6 per 100,000 residents.
About Ruston, LA
Ruston, Louisiana, is home to Louisiana Tech University, a public research institution. Situated in Lincoln Parish, it's a small city in north-central Louisiana, known for its annual Peach Festival. With a safety score of 14/100 and a population coverage of 22,259, Ruston has a total crime rate of 3,387.4 per 100,000 residents.